·  Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the cessation of breathing
               while asleep.  Most commonly it is associated with
               obstruction of the upper airway. Essentially, a person
               with sleep apnea is suffocating while they sleep. 
               Some people can stop breathing 80 or 90 times an
               HOUR.  

    Sleep Apnea is diagnosed by a Physician specializing in Sleep Medicine.  A sleep study is usually required for diagnosis and most commonly, treatment is with a CPAP machine and/or an oral mandibular advancement orthotic (Fabricated for Dr. Barber by SomnoMed, Inc.  www.somnomed.com).  There are also surgical options.

    If the cause is other than upper airway obstruction, such as neurological or lower airway obstruction, then an oral appliance will not work.  Contact our office for a FREE evaluation.

    For many patients, an oral appliance can prove very effective in preventing or lessening snoring and sleep apnea.  An appliance holds the lower jaw forward thus opening the airway to allow passage of air.  Sometimes the oral appliance can be modified to function as a TMJ or bruxism splint if necessary.

     If you have been delaying a sleep study or evaluation performed by a sleep laboratory, we have an alternative solution.  Dr. Barber has available, the ARES Ambulatory Sleep Evaluation System, by Watermark, Inc.  

     While the at-home study is not designed to replace the more extensive sleep lab test, it can provide vital information regarding your sleep pattern.  Plus, the study is done in your home, in your own bed.

     For less than $200, you can have this sleep screening performed to determine the relative severity of your sleep breathing disorder.


Please see our SERVICES Page to learn how oral appliances work.